People have come together worldwide to assist a special class of
friends unable to speak for themselves — our pets and companion
animals. These people have formed animal rescue and adoption agencies
and humane societies of local, regional, national and international
scope. Most animal rescue agencies and humane societies are
not-for-profit organizations, relying upon donations, grants and
volunteer assistance.

Numerous cat rescue and cat adoption agencies exist in the U.S. and
worldwide that look to the needs of our lost, cast off and abused
feline companions. The focus and goals of each agency vary, but as
a group cat rescue and cat adoption agencies serve to perform and promote
the following important functions:

Protection, rescue and placement (through cat adoption or return to
owner) of lost or stray, endangered and abused cats;

Education of cat owners and prospective cat owners regarding the
health, safety and proper care of their pets;

Operation of clinics to insure that even low-income cat owners can
have their felines innoculated against common diseases;

Introduction and sponsorship of legislation for the protection of
cats;

Sponsorship of humane programs to control populations of feral (wild)
cats. Feral
cat populations develop as a result of abandonment, escape and
loss of pet cats and subsequent overbreeding. Such programs typically
include sterilization (spaying for females, neutering for males),
redomestication when possible, and feeding by local volunteers to
humanely assist cats in the wild and to minimize damage to indigenous
wildlife, especially birds. Feral cat populations may need to be
completely removed from a region if wildlife is severely threatened
or if an endangered species is present.

If you would like to become a cat owner, please consider cat adoption
through a cat rescue or cat adoption agency or a humane society to
place a cat who might otherwise not find a loving home. You may also wish
to volunteer your services to a rescue or adoption organization.

If you feel a dog would be a more appropriate pet for you, please visit our
Dog Adoption & Rescue
page. Cats, largely due to their more independent natures, are generally
lower maintenance animals than dogs, but please remember that both cats
and dogs require ongoing care and a great deal of personal interaction.
In return, they will reward you with entertaining antics and will return
the love and affection you’ve given them many times over.
Let’s help all our “fur-footed” friends find the good
homes they so richly deserve.

Authored by Kenneth L. Anderson.
Original article published prior to 27 September 2003, updated
15 March 2006.

Follow links to the right to learn more about cat rescue and cat adoption agencies.
At the left margin, Related Links address topics of interest
pertaining to pets and companion animals. View the
Pet Adoption & Rescue SiteMap
for a complete list of animal adoption agencies, humane societies and pet placement topics.